Blogs

When companies scale from a benchtop lab to pilot-scale production, many focus on process efficiency, space requirements, and throughput. But too few stop to ask one essential question: Are we operating in an electrically hazardous environment? At Re:Build Optimation, we’ve seen how early hazardous area classification (HAC) assessments can fundamentally

For startups working in specialty chemicals, advanced materials, or energy storage, the transition from lab to pilot plant presents many challenges. Among the most underestimated is regulatory compliance. At Re:Build Optimation, we have seen how early engagement with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) often determines whether a project progresses smoothly

When chemical manufacturers begin planning a process scale-up, they often bring with them a mindset rooted in optimization. What is the most efficient reaction time? The ideal flow rate? The perfect temperature? These are valuable questions in the lab, where experimentation is safe and manageable. However, as you move from

As specialty chemical manufacturers scale operations to meet rising demand, introduce new products, or expand into new markets, they often face a hidden challenge that can derail growth entirely: process safety. Scaling is not just about producing more. It introduces new materials, more complex systems, and greater operational risks. While

When faced with the choice of purchasing prebuilt, commercially available machinery versus opting for custom-built solutions, engineers must weigh their options carefully. Both paths have merits, but investing in customized machinery offers distinct advantages that can significantly enhance operational efficiency and drive business growth. As the manufacturing landscape evolves, the

Successfully scaling up specialty chemical production requires careful planning, safety-first execution, and expert collaboration. This blog explores the top five challenges companies face when scaling specialty chemical production and provides solutions and a checklist to help manufacturers avoid costly mistakes.

When faced with the choice of purchasing prebuilt, commercially available machinery versus opting for custom-built solutions, engineers must weigh their options carefully. Both paths have merits, but investing in customized machinery offers distinct advantages that can significantly enhance operational efficiency and drive business growth. As the manufacturing landscape evolves, the

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, flexibility, efficiency, and scalability are essential — and skid-based systems deliver on all three. By applying modular design principles, these systems offer manufacturers a smarter way to scale operations, improve safety, and enhance process control without the long lead times and disruptions of traditional builds.

In the fast-paced food and beverage manufacturing industry, seamless systems integration is essential for maintaining a competitive edge, ensuring compliance, and optimizing efficiency. Re:Build Optimation specializes in integrating advanced automation, data-driven decision-making, and sanitary design solutions to help manufacturers streamline processes and reduce downtime. This blog explores how our expertise

What happens when the Lean fundamentals drive engineering & manufacturing innovation? Re:Build Manufacturing emerges—a powerful force reshaping American industry with cutting-edge strategies and collaborative excellence. Founders Jeff Wilke and Miles Arnone, both MIT Leaders for Manufacturing alumni, are at the forefront of this transformation. Jeff, the architect behind Amazon Prime,

In this blog, we cover a lot of industries, but a large vertical that we have yet to discuss is manufacturing for the Defense Sector. We’ve done some great work in this space and to shed some light on the subject we went and chatted with a resident expert. One

At Re:Build Optimation, one of our corporate initiatives is to seek out and support clients who are interested in either maintaining or relocating their manufacturing assets to the U.S., rather than sending their product-building work offshore to other, lower-cost labor markets. While this is an admirable goal, sometimes the actual

Hydrogen, the gaseous material that creates water when it reacts with oxygen, is an abundant resource with applications ranging from fertilizers in the agriculture sector to the power source for electricity-producing fuel cells. As most operations for producing hydrogen aren’t environmentally friendly because they involve burning fossil fuels, those interested

In 2024, we’re no longer discussing alternative energy as ‘only’ innovative technologies. Instead, we now look into how we can remove the gap from ideation and conceptualization to execution and implementation. At the forefront of these advancements is Re:Build Optimation, a company dedicated to driving not only innovations, but also

The process of requesting a pressure vessel design or repair does not have to be high-pressure. At Re:Build Optimation, our mission is to provide a high-quality pressure vessel tailored to your requirements while ensuring a hassle-free experience for your business. When designing or repairing a pressure vessel, it’s crucial to

In 2019, the construction sector reported a staggering 79,660 injuries, shedding light on the pervasive risk of accidents in industrial environments. Additionally, in 2022, there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, with 1,184,200 of these cases leading to days away from work, according to the Bureau of Labor

One message that has resounded over the last few years is that everything changes – and production environments are no different. In a world where “change is the only constant,” how do teams – or rather, how should teams – approach enhancing or scaling their manufacturing processes? Skid-based systems are

Re:Build Optimation Technology provides expert design and engineering consulting services to optimize our clients’ processes and address their complex equipment issues. We will work closely with you from concept through implementation to thoroughly understand your needs and turn your designs into reality. As part of our capabilities, we offer quality

There is a big push by many to make the days of the internal combustion engine-based vehicles limited. In part this is driven by the marketplace, but the primary driver is government subsidies, tax credits and mandates. When it’s finally gone what type of electric vehicle will take its place?

Getting employees to follow the rules, even rules that keep them safe, is difficult. For some segments of the population is seems impossible. Everyone knows, for example, that talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous, and against the law in most states. But a large percentage of the

If you’ve ever visited Rochester, NY – the home of Re:Build Optimation – you likely know that some of the best Italian Food outside of New York City is found right here. From Mr. Dominic’s to Antoinetta’s for a business lunch, or to Ronconne’s and The Northside Inn, Rochesterians know

In today’s world, the demand for sustainable fuel options is higher than ever before. As we face mounting concerns over climate change, rising fuel costs, and dwindling natural resources, the need for renewable energy alternatives is more pressing than ever before.

This is where cellulosic ethanol and chemical engineering come

The labor shortage of skilled tradesmen in pipefitting, welding, electrical and machinists is well-documented throughout the United States. Older generations of skilled tradesmen are entering retirement much faster than they can be replaced. One statistic indicates that over 50 percent of skilled-trade workers in the U.S. are 50 years old

Communication is one of the most significant factors in any kind of successful venture. Whether it’s operating a business or executing a capital project, communication among team members and between stakeholders is critical. Clarifying understanding, and enabling trust and confidence, are just a few of the critical benefits of optimized

Life Sciences and medical device manufacturers all over the world rely on test and measurement systems during the production process. These systems play a key role in improving product quality and overall productivity. At Re:Build Optimation, we have over 30 years of experience in providing quality test system integration to

Sometimes, the right thing to do is say “no” and walk away.

When you are in business, especially in sales, the object is to win or sell as many jobs as you can, but sometimes it is better to turn down the opportunity if it is not a good

Just this past weekend a worker died in the Alberta oil sands region near Fort McMurray. We can take lessons from this tragedy and remind ourselves to study our practices to ensure that corners are not cut and best practices are employed to assure workplace safety. This blog post speaks

During the past decade, the Internet of Things has been steadily advancing and becoming a part of our lives. We get texts from our cars when the tire pressure is low or suggesting we should stop and buy another gallon of windshield washer fluid. We can turn on the oven

Sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it. In the engineering services world, we live by requirements (what you say – or write). Sometimes we create the requirements for or with our clients, and other times we write a proposal in response to the requirements and

Reading an industry insight report recently, I recognized a condition that plagues many companies operating in today’s manufacturing markets: Change, Complexity, and Costs are so dynamic in ways and at speeds previously unequaled. How can our clients keep up with such challenging factors while achieving their goals and maintaining their

It is difficult to search software titles for very long without coming across something being sourced by a Git server (such as GitHub). As the default workflow for over 10 million software developers, coupled with the recent announcement that Google Code is being retired, there seems to be every reason

November 11-17, 2019 is National Apprenticeship Week. National Apprenticeship Week was established four years ago by the US Department of Labor, and we’re glad to see more formal recognition of starting careers in the skilled trades. Re:Build Optimation has a strong apprenticeship program that was established twelve years ago and

Health, Safety, and Environmental processes directly impact every aspect of an engineering and construction project. We understand this at Re:Build Optimation, which is why we have worked hard to develop a total approach to HSE challenges. Our HSE process is integral to our operations whether we are moving a manufacturing

In 1492 nearly everyone thought that the world was flat. Ships who ventured too close to the edge of the earth would fall in an abyss to their death or be eaten by large dragon like creatures. Columbus overcame all of that and the earth became round. That truth became

If you’re interested in optimizing your hydrogen production operations with hydrogen separation membranes or related process technology, the experts at Re:Build Manufacturing LLC are here to help with imaginative ideas that drive efficiency, profits, and scalable growth. For the energy and power sector, we apply engineering and scientific principles to

Many people may not know that Rochester, NY is home to a company with significant contributions to the glass industry, Klug Systems by Optimation. Klug, the name it is most known by, can trace its roots back to the 1920s and 1930s when John Klug first founded the creatively named

The first Friday of October every year has been designated as National Manufacturing Day. That day is set aside to proudly celebrate goods and services made in America. This year, more than ever, we are proud to celebrate American innovation. American manufacturers have led the world in technical development for

In February, 2009 the US economy hit a new low and in an effort to spur it along the Fed dropped the prime interest rates to a historic low of 3.25 percent. It stayed there for seven years and is just beginning to rise again, but slowly. Money has been

Nearly twenty years ago Thomas Freidman published his book The World is Flat. It was the Financial Times Business Book of the Year in 2005 and sold millions of copies. It is because of the gospel of global trade. In the book, Friedman laid out the basis of offshoring, outsourcing,

The New York Times recently ran a story about how Small Factories Emerge as a Weapon in the Fight Against Poverty. Their story centered on urban manufacturing. I live in upstate New York where there are lots of small manufacturing companies scattered across rural communities. Small manufacturers who exist in

We often hear or read about a shortage or anticipated shortage of engineers in the United States. To address this, programs are developed in elementary and high schools to encourage students to develop a love of math and become prepared for a careers in engineering or other applied sciences. Everyone

Stainless steel contamination can be a real problem in applications that require clean corrosion free surfaces. This is frequently a requirement in labs as well as food and pharmaceutical plants. Stainless steel, when fabricated correctly, provides excellent corrosion resistance. When misapplied, this will not be the case. Precautions must be